Biker suffers injury on Maa flyover due to Manjha

Accidents involving kite strings, commonly known as manjha, have become a recurring hazard on Kolkata's Maa Flyover, with yet another incident reported recently. Despite safety measures, including special railings installed along much of the flyover, these accidents continue to occur, putting commuters at risk.

On Sunday morning around 8:50 AM, a biker named Ghulam Qadir traveled towards Park Circus via the Maa Flyover when he was unexpectedly entangled in a loose kite string. The incident occurred near the number four bridge section of the flyover, where the string became caught around Qadir's neck, causing him to lose control and fall from his bike.

Though the accident could have resulted in severe injuries, Qadir was fortunate to escape with only minor scrapes, thanks to a handkerchief and helmet that offered some protection. However, the incident highlighted the persistent issue of kite strings on the city’s flyovers, especially on the heavily used Maa Flyover.

Authorities previously installed high safety railings along large stretches of the flyover to prevent such incidents. Yet, the latest accident raises questions about whether additional preventive steps are necessary to protect commuters. Kite flying, often with manjha-coated string, can be hazardous, as the sharp-coated threads are capable of causing serious injuries when they make contact with fast-moving vehicles and riders.